Guo Moruo’s Former Residence in Chongqing

　　Guo Moruo’s Former Residence in Chongqing, as well as the former sites of the Third Department of the Political Department of the National Military Commission and the Cultural Work Committee, is situated in Jiayuanzi (Banana Garden Village), Xiyong Town, Shapingba District, Chongqing. The residence covers an area of 10,190 square meters, with a built-up area of 1,566 square meters. It features the architectural style of a late Qing Dynasty courtyard, with a post-and-lintel structure, small blue tiles on the roof, and a gabled roof.

　　Guo Moruo arrived in Chongqing in December 1938, serving as the head of the Third Department of the Political Department of the National Military Commission at the time. In 1940, the Nationalist government disbanded the Third Department and established the Cultural Work Committee, with Guo Moruo appointed as its director. During the War of Resistance against Japan, Guo Moruo led cultural figures in Chongqing in anti-Japanese propaganda efforts, and the Jiayuanzi compound gradually became an important hub for many literary and art personalities. Works highly praised by Mao Zedong and later listed as study materials during the Yan’an Rectification Movement, such as “In Memory of the 300th Anniversary of the Jia-Shen Incident,” “The Bronze Age,” and “Ten Critiques,” were created here. During his time in Chongqing, Guo Moruo also completed historical dramas including “Qu Yuan,” “The Tiger Tally,” “Gao Jianli,” “The Flower of the Tang Di,” “The Peacock Gall,” and “The Herb of the Southern Crown.” He left Chongqing in May 1946.

　　In September 2000, Guo Moruo’s Former Residence was listed among the first batch of municipal-level cultural heritage protection units by the Chongqing Municipal Government after the establishment of the municipality directly under the central government. In March 2005, the restoration project of the residence officially commenced. The main structure was completed on June 30, and the site was opened to the public for exhibition on September 7.

　　Source: Chongqing Hongyan Cultural Development Management Center Author: Liu Liqun